Danny Sangra: The Tomb of Esteban Dorado

12th September – 5th October 2007

EXHIBIT is pleased to present the ninth Empty Space Projects, inspired by the bizarre tale of Esteban Dorado, ‘The Tomb of Esteban Dorado’ is a fable about an adventurer trapped in the tomb of gold. High volume, eccentric and bursting with energy in neon colours, Danny’s work often has a psychedelic quality that leads one see beyond what is merely in front of one’s eye. The vigorous power conjured in his work mercilessly penetrates into the deep and dark places of one’s mind and further. Contrasting with the black-out surrounding, Danny described drawing as the ‘only surviving means’ in the desperate moment to keep Esteban Dorado sane. This body of work resonates the state of anxiety and exhaustion of an artist, who only draws to live and lives to draw. It also suggests the body being prison to one’s soul and the constant struggle of trying to break free. The almost comic-like quality that reminds one so much of superheroes in American pop culture, is twisted in Danny’s hand to celebrate his ‘anti-heroes’. After all, be the tomb full of gold or not; be him a hero or not, it would make no ultimate difference to the ending of the story of Esteban Dorado. A realisation perhaps, in the grown up world where childhood hopes and beliefs failed us, hero or non-hero struggle all the same.

Ada Fung